Telephone dialer

Abstract

The present invention provides both repertory and abbreviated dialing functions in a telephone dialer that facilitates telephone dialing operation. In particular, by pressing an enablng key the system is enabled for automatic dialing operation to dial a desired telephone number upon selection of a single repertory key or, for example, two keys from the key pad, which establishes coded information that effects automatic dialing operation of the desired telephone number. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention electrical circuitry for the telephone dialer is controlled by a microprocessor, or the like, which includes a central processor unit (CPU). On-hook dialing, telephone and/or speaker muting during dialing and unmuting while waiting for access to a line, security of stored telephone information and dialer use, and adaptability of the dialer to different telephone equipment having different dialing pulse formats may be included in the telephone dialer.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A microprocessor based automatic dialing system for telephone equipment, comprising first memory means for storing information at plural addressable locations representing plural respective telephone numbers, a central processor unit, second memory means for storing program control information for controlling said central processor unit to read out selected information from said first memory means, said central processor unit including command output means for periodically producing command signals commanding the input of information to said central processor unit, and decoding means coupled to said command output means for producing a dialing pulse in response to signals over said command output means. 
     
     
       2. The system of claim 1, said first memory means comprising a random access memory. 
     
     
       3. The system of claim 1, said second memory means comprising a read only memory. 
     
     
       4. The system of claim 3, said command output means comprising read only memory select output terminals of said central processor unit. 
     
     
       5. The system of claim 4, said decoding means comprising latch circuit means responsive to said command signals for producing respective output states in response thereto. 
     
     
       6. The system of claim 5, further comprising dial pulse relay means for producing a dial pulse, and means for operating said dial pulse relay means in response to the respective states of said latch circuit means. 
     
     
       7. An automatic dialing system for telephone equipment, comprising a central processor unit, first memory means for storing program control information to control operation of said central processor unit, second memory means for storing information at plural addressable locations representing plural respective telephone numbers, including a distinctly addressable last number dialed location, output means for producing telephone dialing information to effect dialing of a telephone, input means for selecting a telephone number to be so dialed, said central processor unit and first memory means being cooperative in response to said input means to write the information representing the selected telephone number from the addressed location in said second memory means to said last number dialed location and to control said output means only in response to information stored in and delivered from said last number dialed location. 
     
     
       8. The system of claim 7, said central processor unit comprising a microprocessor. 
     
     
       9. The system of claim 7, said first memory means comprising a read only memory. 
     
     
       10. The system of claim 7, said second memory means comprising a random access memory. 
     
     
       11. The system of claim 7, said output means comprising a dial pulse relay and means for pulsing said dial pulse relay in response to said central processor unit to effect production of a dial pulse on a telephone line. 
     
     
       12. The system of claim 7, said input means comprising a keyboard including a plurality of selectively actuatable keys thereon, scanning means controlled by said central processor unit for scanning said keyboard to determine a key actuated thereon and effecting dialing of a telephone number in response thereto. 
     
     
       13. The system of claim 12, said keyboard including a plurality of repertory dialing keys for one button dialing of such telephone equipment, a key pad, and a last number dialed function operating key, said central processor unit being responsive to actuating of a repertory dialing key for one button dialing of such telephone equipment, said central processor unit being responsive to coded information generated by actuation of plural keys from said keyboard to effect abbreviated automatic dialing of such telephone equipment, and said key pad being actuatable for manually dialing a telephone number. 
     
     
       14. A dialing system for telephone equipment, comprising repertory dialing means for one button dialing of such telephone equipment when the system is enabled, selectively actuatable abbreviated dialing means for generating coded information to effect dialing of such telephone equipment when the system is enabled, said abbreviated dialing means including key pad means for generating such coded information and for manually dialing a telephone number, selectively operable function generating means for distinguishing whether information generated by said key pad means represents coded information to effect abbreviated dialing or manual dialing information, whereby said key pad means may be used for both abbreviated dialing and manual dialing and said repertory dialing means may be used for one button dialing, first memory means for storing information at plural addressable locations representing plural respective telephone numbers, a central processor unit, second memory means for storing program control information for controlling said central processor unit to read out selected information from said first memory means, said central processor unit including command output means for periodically producing command signals commanding the input of information to said central processor unit, and decoding means coupled to said command output means for producing a dialing pulse in response to signals over said command output means. 
     
     
       15. The system of claim 14, wherein said decoding means comprises a latch circuit. 
     
     
       16. The system of claim 15, further comprising dial pulse relay means for producing dial pulses in an accessed telephone line, and means for controlling said dial pulse relay means for response to the output of said latch circuit. 
     
     
       17. A dialing system for telephone equipment, comprising repertory dialing means for one button dialing of such telephone equipment when the system is enabled, selectively actuatable abbreviated dialing means for generating coded information to effect dialing of such telephone equipment when the system is enabled, said abbreviated dialing means including key pad means for generating such coded information and for manually dialing a telephone number, selectively operable function generating means for distinguishing whether information generated by said key pad means represents coded information to effect abbreviated dialing or manual dialing information, whereby said key pad means may be used for both abbreviated dialing and manual dialing and said repertory dialing means may be used for one button dialing, a central processor unit, first memory means for storing program control information to control operation of said central processor unit, second memory means for storing information at plural addressable locations representing plural respective telephone numbers, including a distinctly addressable last number dialed location, output means for producing telephone dialing information to effect dialing of a telephone, input means for selecting a telephone number to be so dialed, and wherein said central processing unit and first memory means are cooperative in response to said input means to write the information representing the selected telephone number from the addressed location in said second memory means to said last number dialed location and to control said output means only in response to information stored in and delivered from said last number dialed location. 
     
     
       18. The system of claim 17, wherein said central processor unit comprises a microprocessor. 
     
     
       19. The system of claim 18, wherein said first memory means comprises a read-only memory and said second memory means comprises a random access memory. 
     
     
       20. The system of claim 19, further comprising display means for displaying the telephone number dialed by the system. 
     
     
       21. The system of claim 17, further comprising last number dialed recall means for initiating redialing of the telephone number stored in said last number dialed location by operation of only a single key. 
     
     
       22. A dialing system for telephone equipment, comprising repertory dialing means for one button dialing of such telephone equipment when the system is enabled, selectively actuatable abbreviated dialing means for generating coded information to effect dialing of such telephone equipment when the system is enabled, said abbreviated dialing means including key pad means for generating such coded information and for manually dialing a telephone number, and selectively operable function generating means for distinguishing whether information generated by said key pad means represents coded information to effect abbreviated dialing or manual dialing information, whereby said key pad means may be used for both abbreviated dialing and manual dialing and said repertory dialing means may be used for one button dialing, and index means for storing information concerning the telephone numbers stored in the system, a housing for the system, and connecting means for removably connecting said index means to said housing thereby facilitating selective connection and removal of said index means to the dialing system housing. 
     
     
       23. The system of claim 14, further comprising security means responsive to the presence of said index means on the dialing system for disabling the system when said index means is removed.